Kalamazoo Times

When schools were shut down for in-person education several months ago, educators and other officials began to see how important it is for families to have internet access, Rep. Beth Griffin (R-Matawan) pointed out on the Michigan House Republicans website.

"While the abnormally high demand for internet has put more pressure on our broadband infrastructure, it has also exposed the digital divide between our state’s urban and rural communities," Griffin said on the website. "There are thousands of Southwest Michigan residents with little to no access to broadband services; however, recent funding has been awarded to Van Buren and Allegan counties to help address this issue."

A $10.7 million grant was given to Southwest Michigan Communications Inc., which will be put toward Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband internet services in the two counties. Griffin said in her statement that supplying broadband internet to these counties is a part of USDA's ReConnect Pilot Program. 

With the program, 22 farms, 19 businesses and 7,700 residents will have access to the broadband internet in Southwest Michigan. 

"The internet is no longer a luxury -- it’s a necessity," Griffin told Michigan House Republicans. "Our children are remote-learning, many workers and job providers are conducting business from home, and for many patients, the only way to receive the routine and preventative health care they need is via telehealth."

Rural families will be able to have access to internet through the program. ReConnect program eligibility, assistance and announcements can be found on the USDA's website. 

"Connection to the world outside our homes has become vital to our way of life, and I will keep working to make sure Southwest Michigan families have access to reliable, high-speed internet," Griffin said, according to Michigan House Republicans.